Laser Cutting Articles

Results: 77

	Upgrading your laser cutting equipment : From resonator replacement to full system replacement By: Robert Kloczkowski If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. To improve laser performance and increase capacity in... Publish date: March 1, 2010
	Blended laser-assist gases: Recipe for successful materials processing By: David Bell, Contributing Writer Blended Gas System Photo courtesy of WITT Gas Controls LP The industrial laser has been used to process materials since the early 1970s,... Publish date: February 23, 2010
	A breath of fresh air Laser cutting technique offers a new alternative : Laser cutting technique offers a new alternative By: James Rogowski and Mickey Lawson Ten years ago laser cutting offered a distinctive advantage to those who invested in the technology. For the most part, successful laser... Publish date: August 8, 2006
	The importance of focal positions in laser cutting : Understanding the rules of laser beam focusing is crucial to delivering high-quality laser-cut parts By: Frank J. Arteaga, Contributing Writer All children ultimately discover the combined power of sunlight and a magnifying glass. The ability to focus the sun's energy through the... Publish date: January 8, 2010
	L�ser y chorro de agua: �amigos o enemigos? : Sus capacidades hacen que estas tecnolog�as se complementen y no que compitan entre s� Si la imagen no se puede visualizar, cliquee en el n�mero de la figura para verla. Read article in English La fabricaci�n ha sido... Publish date: November 12, 2009
	Say goodbye to hard tooling : High-powered fiber lasers have become a cost-effective alternative to the blanking press By: Charles Caristan If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. Figure 1 Laser blanking uses a flexible stacker, capable... Publish date: November 2, 2009
	Perfecting processing for perforated products : Laser eliminates crooked cuts, burrs If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. Most tubes and pipes have just two holes, one in each end,... Publish date: September 6, 2009
	Saying 'yes' when others can't : Job shop uses flexibility, not capacity, to gauge automation�s success By: Tim Heston If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. These days a shop manager may look at material handling... Publish date: August 1, 2009
	Entendiendo las tecnologias de corte de metal : Oxicombustible, plasma, laser, chorro de agua-todos tienen su lugar By: Jeff Hahn, Al Julian, Chris Maier, Rick Neff, and Ron Schneider Si la imagen no se puede visualizar, cliquee en el n�mero de la figura para verla. Read article in English Nota del editor: este art�culo... Publish date: July 21, 2009
	The hidden costs of laser cutting gases : Eliminating inefficient gas delivery can boost the bottom line By: John Gabris A well-designed and -installed lasing gas delivery system will ensure the gas remains pure when traveling from the cylinders, through the... Publish date: July 6, 2009
	Nontraditional fabricator chasing nontraditional markets : With the automotive industry struggling, Michigan-based Matrix Metalcraft actively pursues diversification. By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief If an image is not displayed, click the hyperlinked figure number to view it. Laser cutting on 3- and 5-axis machines is a key part of Matrix... Publish date: July 2, 2009
	Construyendo chasises con laseres : Tras la eficiencia, la productividad y la calidad La manufactura en M�xico ha crecido en los �ltimos a�os, al mismo tiempo que el �xito de NACCO Materials Handling Group Inc. (NMHG), una filial... Publish date: June 24, 2009
	Automatizacion flexible de corte por laser y manejo de material : El software ayuda a desechar malos habitos en el manejo de material By: Elizabeth Kautzmann Si la imagen no se puede visualizar, cliquee en el n�mero de la figura para verla. Read article in English �Con qu� frecuencia estima... Publish date: June 24, 2009
	Purging the plenum for better laser cutting : How dry compressed air can increase laser intensity By: David J. Connaughton When a laser is used to cut a metal component in a manufacturing process, the effectiveness of the operation—achieving maximum throughput... Publish date: June 23, 2009
	Cuando conviene un punzon/laser? : 3 preguntas que un fabricante necesita hacerse By: Michael Bishop, Contributing Writer Read article in English Hawkeye Industries Inc., Tupelo, Miss., estaba obteniendo m�s y m�s pedidos de partes que requer�an tanto punzonado... Publish date: May 19, 2009
	Bobcat pounces on cost-saving opportunities : Nesting software upgrade provides more efficiencies By: Michael Bishop, Contributing Writer When a company uses 20 million pounds of steel each month, it leads to plenty of opportunities to look for cost savings. Bobcat Co., West... Publish date: February 12, 2009
	New dimension, familiar direction : H.W. Metals invests in a laser cutter for jobs where plasma doesn�t cut it By: Michael Bishop, Contributing Writer H.W. Metals, Tualatin, Ore., processes high-strength steel for transportation equipment manufacturers and other applications. The company began... Publish date: February 10, 2009
	Laser and waterjet: friends or foes? : Capabilities make these technologies complements, not competitors By: Jeff Hahn and Steve Szczesniak Lea este articulo en Espanol Fabrication has long been a cornerstone of U.S. manufacturing. It plays a central role, providing components... Publish date: January 27, 2009
	Are you getting enough fiber in your metal fabricating diet? : Examining the growing market for fiber lasers By: Mark Richmond This year has been called the year of the fiber laser. Sales for 2008 are forecast to increase by 16 percent, to $323 million overall, with... Publish date: August 26, 2008
	When does a punch/laser make sense? : 3 Questions a fabricator needs to ask By: Michael Bishop, Contributing Writer Lea este articulo en Espanol Business growth led Hawkeye Industries President and CEO Bryan Hawkins to seek a machine that could punch and... Publish date: August 26, 2008
	Laser optics: Special delivery : Lens coatings, adaptive optics make laser cutting more efficient By: Erin Chasse Figure 1 Advanced optical components are required in beam-shaping devices for high-powered lasers. In CO 2 laser cutting and welding, optics... Publish date: July 15, 2008
	Making sense of metal cutting technologies : Oxyfuel, plasma, laser, waterjet-all have their place in today's shop By: Jeff Hahn, Al Julian, Chris Maier, Rick Neff, and Ron Schneider Lea este articulo en Espanol Editor's Note: This article was developed from the Comparative Cutting Panel conducted at the Fabricators &... Publish date: July 15, 2008
	Lasers catch limelight at ALAW : Conference�s fabricator track puts the big picture center stage By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor Attendees take a networking break at the exhibit hall during this year's ALAW conference. The 2009 ALAW Conference is scheduled for May 12-14 at... Publish date: June 17, 2008
	The dirt on laser lenses : Keeping the lenses clean is key to keeping equipment running By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief Photo courtesy of NTC America, Novi, Mich./PRC Laser, Landing, N.J. Who would think that a $400 laser lens could mean a great difference in... Publish date: June 17, 2008
	Shop perfects laser cutting brass, titanium By: Tim Heston, Senior Editor Parviz Shahriari, the director of engineering at GEMVIS , a Montreal-based contract manufacturer, doesn't give up easily. He hasn't followed... Publish date: January 15, 2008
	Laser safety in the industrial workplace : Knowing the dangers and taking adequate precautions By: Rich Greene Figure 1 Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) lasers are commonly used in laser welding applications. These types of lasers... Publish date: January 15, 2008
	Hyperactive fabrication : Hype Manufacturing uses the latest metal cutting technology to make its way in the world of racing Clay Andrews wanted to jump right into competitive racing, so his company, Hype Manufacturing, bought the latest machine tools, including... Publish date: December 11, 2007
	Getting into the thick of high-powered lasers : Increased resonator wattage opens the door to plenty of opportunities By: Rick Neff Figure 1 High-powered resonators have made laser cutting a suitable technology choice for processing thick plate. Laser cutting originated... Publish date: December 11, 2007
	Successful automation isn't automatic : Fabricators need to communicate and ask the right questions By: Michael Monaghan Figure 1 The location of structural supports and electrical supplies influence the placement of a laser cutting cell and material handling... Publish date: October 9, 2007
	Achieving efficiency with occasional high-pressure, high-flow nitrogen use : The economics of choosing the right mode for your laser By: Richard Green When you get your hands on a new 4- or 5-kilowatt laser, the expectation is to open it up and start ripping clean-cut parts. Before you go off... Publish date: October 9, 2007
	The evolution of scanners for remote welding applications : The rise of beam quality leads to proliferation of remote welding applications By: Dale A. Sabo The use of lasers in the metal forming and fabricating industry has grown substantially in the last few years. While cutting is the most widely... Publish date: October 9, 2007
	3 pasos para mejorar el mantenimiento de los l�ser : Ponga atenci�n en el ambiente, en el equipo, Y en los siempre necesarios consumibles By: Jeff Hahn, Bernie Olguin, y Dru Schwartz Read this article in English Los usuarios de m�quinas l�ser lo saben, pero con frecuencia lo ignoran. Los manufactureros de l�ser le tienen... Publish date: July 10, 2007
	Manufacturando m�s eficientemente en M�xico Read this article in English La manufactura de clase mundial requiere maquinaria m�s que eficiente, flexible y productiva, seg�n Industrias... Publish date: April 10, 2007
	3 ways to get the most from your laser operation : Machine choice, automation, and preventive maintenance By: James Rogowski The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency.... Publish date: August 8, 2007
	Air cutting revisited : More research reveals more can be done using shop air in laser cutting By: Erin Chasse and Mickey Lawson Oxygen and nitrogen, two standard assist gases used in laser cutting, create two different reactions at the laser head. Oxygen produces an... Publish date: March 13, 2007
	Flexible automation of laser cutting, material handling : Software helps to scrap bad material handling habits By: Liz Kautzmann Automated parts removal helps to eliminate the non-value-added aspects of laser cutting, but a closer look at nesting is necessary to get the... Publish date: March 13, 2007
	Cutting lead-times with lasers : Midwest Precision uses lasers to cut sheet, tube, and now plate Midwest Precision (MPI), Tulsa, Okla., has held onto its goal of remaining flexible since opening in 1973. Known as Miller Manufacturing back... Publish date: February 13, 2007
	Breaking speed barriers in laser cutting : Technology development synchronizes two unique cutting axes By: Thomas Burdel and Pieter Schwarzenbach Figure 1 Laser cutting devices that have two additional parallel kinematic drive axes on the laser head can cut more than 1,000 holes per... Publish date: February 14, 2007
	A new dimension in lasers : Tilt laser beam technology combines 2-D, 3-D laser cutting By: Thomas Burdel and Pieter Schwarzenbach Laser cutting has become widely used in manufacturing over the past 30 years. During its evolution, laser cutting has been used for... Publish date: January 17, 2007
	Achieving precision and diversification with laser and waterjet technologies By: Frank J. Arteaga, Contributing Writer Today's laser and waterjet cutting technologies offer flexibility for precision applications in a range of materials. The choice to use either... Publish date: January 9, 2007
	High-powered lasers take a bite out of plate : How wattage, mode, and assist gas work together By: Jason Hillenbrand The "more is better" mentality has been ingrained into the American culture for many years now. Sometimes this is not a good thing. However, as... Publish date: December 12, 2006
	3 steps to better laser maintenance : Pay attention to the environment, the equipment, and the ever-necessary consumables By: Jeff Hahn, Bernie Olguin, and Dru Schwartz Lea este art�culo en Espa�ol Laser machine users know it, but often ignore it. Laser manufacturers swear by it, but often don't push it.... Publish date: October 10, 2006
	Expanding upward and outward : A sheet storage tower helps Watson Engineering's laser operations grow up By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief The LVP LUS laser cutting machine not only is designed to be 50 percent faster than older models, but also features automatic lens focus... Publish date: September 12, 2006
	Optimizing CO2 laser use: Part II By: David Bell, Contributing Writer Photo courtesy of TRUMPF Inc. Part I of this series discussed the production of the CO 2 laser beam and the interaction of the... Publish date: March 7, 2006
	Selecting equipment for maximum productivity : Is bigger always better? By: Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal� One of the simplest ways to increase productivity in a metal fabrication shop is to purchase a new machine, usually the largest machine you... Publish date: February 7, 2006
	Optimizing CO2 laser use: Part I By: David Bell, Contributing Writer Although continuous improvements have been made to increase CO 2 laser cutting productivity, the basic parameters of the process have not... Publish date: January 10, 2006
	To buy or not to buy? : Service center struggles with laser question By: Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal� Dirk Debruyne was in a tough spot. He had to make a decision, and he knew it would not be an easy one. He needed a laser cutting machine,... Publish date: July 11, 2005
	Looking to higher power for laser speed? : May need to look at beam quality instead By: Thorsten Frauenpreiss In the past decade, the laser technology market for industrial material processing has grown by double digits. With improved beam sources... Publish date: December 13, 2005
	Growing gains with lasers : Job shop uses data management to complement laser capabilities By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Significant investment in laser processing equipment helps Laser Precision process both shim-thick stainless steel to 1-inch-thick plate... Publish date: November 8, 2005
	Tube, profile cutting with lightning speed : Laser cutting tube with a rotary axis By: Dr. A. Pieter Schwarzenbach Even though laser cutting tubes and profiles is basically a 3-D task, some can be cut with a 2-D machine equipped with an additional rotary... Publish date: October 11, 2005
	Fitness equipment manufacturer pumps up : Laser leads the way in cutting flat and tubular parts Given the spirited competition in the fitness industry these days, Los Angeles-based Paramount Fitness Corp. can't afford to get the... Publish date: October 11, 2005
	Laser cutting and welding with one tool : Is one head better than two? By: Dr. Dirk Petring Today's laser sources have the power and beam quality needed to cut and join metal in an expeditious and repetitious manner. The market... Publish date: October 11, 2005
	Boiled over by laser's performance : A 3-D laser transforms Kvaerner Power's future By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief Kvaerner Power's Mazak SpaceGear SG 510 MK II 3-D laser cutting system with automated load/unload has taken over the metal cutting chores... Publish date: August 9, 2005
	Applying lasers to appliances : Food service equipment makers share their experiences with automated cutting By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Wisco Industries, Oregon, Wis., uses its 3,500-W CO2 laser to cut up to 1-in.-thick mild steel and up to 12-in.-thick stainless steel as... Publish date: July 12, 2005
	Manufacturing more efficiently south of the border : Laser, punch/laser technology help Industrias John Deere cultivate just-in-time Lea este art�culo en Espa�ol World-class manufacturing requires more than efficient, flexible, and productive machinery, according to... Publish date: February 8, 2005
	Laser-gas delivery systems for all applications, including 24/7 operation : A comprehensive look at the options By: David Bell, Contributing Writer Photo courtesy of Weldstar, Aurora, Ill. Centralized System Advantages A centralized system allows all of the cylinders to be stored... Publish date: July 13, 2004
	Laser cell system gives job shop the home field advantage By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal® Editor Photo courtesy of Lund Industries Inc., Wheeling, Ill. No stranger to the economic fluctuations in the industry, the 50-employee company... Publish date: February 12, 2004
	Cutting through five myths about modern lasers : The truth behind laser cutting technology By: Dan Robinson, Contributing Writer The following five myths about modern laser cutting machines can help the experienced user stay on top of the game and give the prospective... Publish date: February 12, 2004
	Agriculture equipment manufacturer cultivates productivity improvements with laser technology The seeders are large, heavy equipment and weigh as much as 50,000 pounds when fully loaded. They are constructed primarily of mild steel... Publish date: September 25, 2003
	The business of lasers By: Bill Isaac, Contributing Writer From the laser manufacturers' standpoint, the U.S. market for lasers has simply gotten smaller. This is a function of multiple market... Publish date: July 24, 2003
	Job shop reduces costs, improves laser's output : Laser regulator minimizes gas contamination By: Richard Green, Contributing Writer The Laser Station regulator can be mounted to a secured surface to eliminate movement and potential leakage at the tubing connection.... Publish date: May 29, 2003
	Will a robotic laser system cut it? : Find out what it can do before you decide By: Mike Erickson, Contributing Writer Robotic Laser Cutting Systems A typical robotic laser cutting system consists of a servo-controlled, multiaxis mechanical arm that has a... Publish date: March 27, 2003
	The art of laser cutting : Will recent advancements meet future challenges? By: Johannes Ulrich, Contributing Writer On modern laser cutting machines, most of the internal functions are automated. Focus point is changed remotely via a cutting database or... Publish date: March 27, 2003
	Laser system saves damaged military parts from the scrap heap : Process limits heat-affected zone to repair delicate components By: Richard Grylis, Contributing Writer Recently, though, several military facilities have been testing a new repair technique developed to save expensive parts from the scrap... Publish date: February 27, 2003
	Monitoring laser beam performance : How beam focusability helps evaluate beam quality online By: Lawrence Green, Contributing Writer In the last 20 years, the use of industrial lasers for cutting, drilling, welding, marking, and cladding has increased dramatically.... Publish date: September 17, 2001
	Turning up the power : Using lasers to cut thick plate By: Kevin Laughlin, Contributing Writer Industry trends indicate that metal fabricators increasingly are selecting higher-power lasers for cutting applications. Two years ago, the most... Publish date: July 12, 2001
	A breath of fresh air : Taking a look at in-plant filtration systems By: Array Ten years ago laser cutting offered a distinctive advantage to those who invested in the technology. For the most part, successful laser... Publish date: November 15, 2001
	Fanning production rates : Fabricator quadruples fan production with cutting system By: Richard Herzfeld, Contributing Writer While a worker prepares to remove parts from a dual-pallet laser at Hartzell Fan, Piqua, Ohio, the machine is cutting the next job. The... Publish date: November 7, 2002
	Lasers move forward : Looking at the forces shaping today's laser systems By: CONCOA Laser Gas Delivery Systems Team As in all cutting processes, productivity largely is determined by cutting speed. Because of increased laser power, higher than ever... Publish date: December 12, 2002
	Case Study: CO2 Lasers in Job Shops : Laser helps fabricator handle high-volume intricate parts By: Loretta DeGasperi, Contributing Writer Processing thousands of pounds of steel each day using its punch- plasma process required seven employees working in shifts around the... Publish date: December 12, 2002
	Predicting the outcomes of laser thermal forming : How process simulation brought this technology to industry By: Jerry E. Jones, Michael Mossman, and Valerie Rhoades, Contributing Writers Applying a laser or any other high-density heat source to the surface of a metal sheet for a short time will distort the metal. If this distortion... Publish date: April 24, 2001
	Making solid delivery and storage choices for assist gases in CO2 laser cutting By: David Bell, Contributing Writer The use of CO 2 lasers in the metal fabrication industry has grown substantially in the past decade, creating a greater demand for assist and... Publish date: May 15, 2001
	Testing new waters Down Under : Australian auto industry looks to benefit from lasers, information sharing By: Hafiz Mohd, Contributing Writer The Australian auto industry appears to have shrugged off global economic uncertainty to boost sales of new cars and trucks to 772,681... Publish date: December 12, 2002
	The importance of lasing gas purity : How to minimize impurities By: Jeremy Barr, Contributing Writer Industrial laser powers have increased dramatically over the past few years. This has made maintaining a high-purity atmosphere within the... Publish date: February 14, 2002
	The challenges of laser cutting: Overcoming some common obstacles By: Jim Wollenberger, Contributing Writer While lasers are not the answer for every application, they can provide flexibility, efficient material use, and a repeatable, controlled... Publish date: March 13, 2002
	Unattended operation of CO₂laser process systems : Technology advances make 'lights-out' operations a reality By: Frank J. Arteaga, Contributing Writer During the 1980s the term lights-out as it applied to CO 2 laser processing equipment had a different meaning than it does today. In those... Publish date: May 18, 2002
	Science Nonfiction By: Kevin Cole, Contributing Writer Forty years ago no one would have thought it possible to cut plate steel with focused light. Over time it has not only become possible but... Publish date: August 8, 2002

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